Oscar lehmanit



(No Model.)

' 0. LEHMANN.-

CLIP FOR HOLDING PAPERS, SAMPLES, 8w. No. 547,647. Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

whim/eases UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFIC OSCAR LEHMANN, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

CLIP FOR HOLDING PAPERS, SAMPLES, 840.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,647, dated October 8, 1895.

Application filed June 25,1895. Serial No. 554,008- (No model.)

Y To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OSCAR LEHMANN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a new and useful Improvement in Clips for Holding Paper's, Samples, Dresses, Skirts, &c., which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention has reference to paper-c1ips. The use and general objects of devices of this character are so well understood as to require no explanation.

The paper-clip constructed in accordance with my invention is formed of two concentrically-disposed discontinuous tubes sliding'one within the other about their common axis,'and means are provided for giving the members of the clip their requisite relative movement. To this end preferably each member has two oppositely-inclined slots therein. The slots in one tube are also of an opposite inclination to the corresponding slots of the other, or, in other words, in certain positions of the tubes the slots cross each other in the form of the letter X. A U-shaped spring of heavy steel Wire projects at its opposite ends, respectively, through the neighboring slots of the two tubes, carrying at its inner ends washers to prevent displacement. The tension of the spring is exerted to move the ends thereof away from each other, which consequently in their normal position rest in the outer ends of the slots, bringing the edge of one tube against an upturned flange on the edge of the other tube, thus forming a single continuous tube. By forcing the ends of the spring toward each other the cam-action on the edges of the slots causes the tubes to move over each other in opposite directions, thereby separating the clamping or gripping edges for the insertion of paper, 850. Upon releasing the spring the clip tightly closes against the paper, &c. To prevent endwise movement of the tubes relatively to each other, a lug struck up on the inner surface of the outer tube engages in a transverse slot in the inner tube; but any other suitable means may be adopted to this end.

Other features and details of construction will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a paper clip embodying my improvements.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the clip at the point where one end of the spring passes through the tubes, and Fig. 3 is a plan resldent of Paris, France, have invented a view of the inner tube. Referring to the drawings, A represents the outer and B the inner discontinuous tube, made of sheet metal and adapted to slide over each other. The inner tube B has a flange b bent up along one edge thereof, against which the edge a of the outer tube normally bears, and which together constitute the clamping or gripping edges. The tubes A and B each have two oppositely-inclined slots at a b 19 therein, the neighboring slots (1' b a b of the two tubes beingalso of an oppositeinclination. An inwardly-projecting lug c on tube A engages a transverse slot 0 in the tube B to pre-' vent endwise movement of the said tubes relatively to each other. The arms (I d, respectively, of a U-shaped spring D, which forms the handle of the clip, carry finger-pieces e e, sleeved thereon and prevented from turning by lugs e struck up from the material of'the arms. Pressure is appliedto the finger-pieces to cause the ends of the spring to approach each other. I Finger pieces or plates e e each have a bushing 6 surrounding the extremity of arms (1 d, and, with said extremities, respectively project through slots 0, b and a 6 Washers f are slipped over the bushings against the inner face of the tube B, teeth e on the bushings being bent over against the washers for securing them in place.

From the foregoing description the operation of the clip will be readily understood. It is also apparent that the invention is not limited to paper-clips, as it includes all other analogous devices. For example, it may be used as a hanger for magazines, periodicals, &c., in libraries or club-rooms, the spring resting over a suitable hook or projection.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is- 1. A paper-clip comprising two concentrically disposed discontinuous tubes eachhaving a slot therein and a suitable clamping or gripping edge, and a spring actuated projectioniu said slots for forcing the clamping or gripping edges toward each other, substantially as described.

2. A paper-clip comprising two concentrically disposed discontinuous tubes, having suitable clamping edges, and an inclined slot in each tube, said slots being of opposite inclination, and a spring projecting at one end through and being movable in said slots, the tension of the spring tending to force the clamping edges together, substantially as described.

3. Apaper-clip formed of two concentrically disposed discontinuous tubes each having suitable clamping edges, and two oppositely inclined slots therein, the corresponding slots in the two tubes being also of opposite inclination and intersecting each other, and a U- shaped spring the ends of which respectively project through and are movable in the corresponding slots in said tube, substantially as described.

4. A paper clip formed of two concentrically disposed discontinuous tubes having suitable clamping edges and an inclined slot in each tube, said slots being of opposite inclination, a spring projecting at one end through and being movable in said slots, and a lug or projeetion on the outer tube engaging a transverse slot in the inner tube, substantially as described.

5. A paper clip formed of two concentric discontinuous tubes, each having a suitable clamping edge and two oppositely inclined slots therein, the corresponding slots in the two tubes being also of opposite inclination, a spring the ends of which respectively project through and are movable in the cone sponding slots in said tubes, finger pieces or plates on said ends outside of the tubes, having sleeves or bushings thereon extending through the slots, and washers secured over said sleeves or bushings within the tubes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OSCAR LEIIMANN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. OSTHEIMER, CLYDE SHRoPsInRn. 

